A potential maritime tragedy was narrowly averted in Rivers State on Monday after personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder successfully rescued 99 passengers involved in a boat accident along the Bukuma River in Degema Local Government Area.
The mishap occurred when a local market boat, popularly called ‘Blood of Jesus’, en route from Port Harcourt to Akuku-Toru LGA, collided head-on with a barge named ADAM (Damen Buba) at approximately 10:55 am on April 29, 2025.
According to a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the Base Information Officer, Lieutenant Commander Bridget Bebia, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, confirmed that “no lives were lost in the incident, and most of the passengers’ goods were safely recovered and are currently secured on board.”
The collision, which caused significant structural damage to the boat, occurred about 300 meters from Naval Security Station 035 in the Tuma area of Degema. Promptly reacting to the emergency, personnel stationed at NSS 035—backed by four additional Navy gunboats—launched a coordinated rescue operation.
“The Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder personnel, in collaboration with other naval units, carried out a swift and effective search and rescue operation despite the challenging conditions,” the statement read.
Thanks to their timely response, all 99 passengers were brought to safety without any reported injuries.
Commodore Aniaku lauded the Navy team’s courage and professionalism. “Their swift intervention and well-coordinated actions not only saved every single life on board but also ensured that valuable goods and properties were preserved,” he stated.
He went on to affirm the Navy’s commitment to maritime safety: “Under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, we remain resolute in securing our waterways and protecting all who navigate them.”
